White House Hosts Iftaar Dinner To Mark Ramadan

Last Thursday evening, the White House hosted some 90 guests at its 7th annual Iftaar Dinner to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (Yahoo News.) In his remarks (full text) in the State Dining Room, President Bush said: "Today, our world is at war with violent extremists who seek to tear the fabric of our society.... We say to them, you don't represent Muslims, you do not represent Islam -- and you will not succeed." Lt. Cmdr. Abuhena Saifulislam, the second Muslim chaplain commissioned in the Navy, gave the blessing before dinner. (American Forces Press Service.) The White House announced that among the invited guests were American Muslim women who had made contributions in science, education, civil society, the arts and culture. Prior to the dinner, the White House website hosted an online interactive forum with Shirin Tahir-Kheli, Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, answering questions submitted by members of the public regarding the dinner. [Thanks to Melissa Rogers for the lead.]